Heroin addict headbutted his stepfather after begging for cash

A heroin addict who repeatedly pestered his mother for money ended up headbutting his stepfather after he was turned away from the couple’s home.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, March 8, how Russell Hardy, 41, had visited his mother’s home at Kestral Heights, Ironville, demanding money when his stepfather Graeme Fowkes refused to help and was headbutted.

Prosecuting solicitor Peter Bettany said: “This is a domestic violence matter upon the new husband of the defendant’s mother after the defendant had been haranguing his mother for money to buy drugs.

“There was an intervention by the defendant’s stepfather and he was headbutted.”

Mr Bettany explained Hardy came begging for money from his mother and she had previously given him cash for food and his electricity bill but he wanted more and she was advised by the police that this was tantamount to harassment.

Hardy returned to the home later that day and apologised to his stepfather about the earlier incident and asked for £45 for electricity and food but he was refused and then the defendant assaulted his stepfather.

Mr Bettany added: “The victim stated that the defendant was stood at the front of the house and was walking back to a taxi and the next thing he remembered was being headbutted to the forehead and blood coming from his nose before the defendant got into the taxi and left.”

Hardy told police he was having a bad weekend and it started when he struggled to get his methdone prescription and he had pestered his mother for money to help him buy heroin.

He added that he had also had an argument with the taxi driver over a fare and when he had run out of food he began banging on his mother’s door and he headbutted his stepfather.

Hardy, of Urban Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, said he was sorry and added that his stepfather was brilliant with his mother, according to Mr Bettany.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the assault which happened on March 6 and also admitted committing this offence during an existing suspended custodial sentence which was imposed for threatening to cause damage.

Defence solicitor David Gittins said without methadone Hardy felt he had no option but to buy heroin.

Mr Gittins added that Hardy had not gone to his mother’s home with the intention of attacking his stepfather and he has apologised and he is remorseful.

Magistrates sentenced Hardy to 16 weeks of custody suspended for 12 months with a Drug Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation and was given a two-year restraining order.

Hardy’s previous suspended sentence order of 16 weeks custody suspended for 12 months was also extended to an operational period of 18 months.